Los Angeles Lakers

DeMar DeRozan wants to work with Kobe: 'I need every move he has'

Published Nov. 30, 2015 8:45 p.m. ET

foxsports

It wouldn't be much of an exaggeration, if it's one at all, to say that Toronto Raptors wing DeMar DeRozan idolizes Kobe Bryant. When Bryant announced his retirement on Sunday, DeRozan spoke of the Los Angeles Lakers guard in glowing terms. Every opportunity to play against Bryant was a blessing for DeRozan, and he relished all of the knowledge the Black Mamba shared over the years.

But that might not be enough for DeRozan, according to CBS Sports. Instead, DeRozan apparently wouldn't mind working out with Bryant, saying that he needs to steal all of his tricks of the trade:

DeRozan also said that people misunderstand Bryant. It's not that he's a jerk. Instead, it's simply that Bryant has high standards:

After praising Bryant's “killer instinct,” “dominant presence” and “grit that you don't see too often,” DeRozan said he planned to inform Bryant he wants to work with him one-on-one. “I'ma tell him I need every move he has,” DeRozan said, adding that anything he does in the post, he took from Bryant.

He's just one of them guys who wants every single thing out of the game of basketball. He sacrificed so much to do that. I think a lot of times people don't appreciate that side of him.